Fortunato R. Priore

COL. FORTUNATO R. PRIORE, USA (Ret.)

Fortunato (Fred) Priore, a resident of Alexandria, VA, (Mount Vernon) died on December 28, 2004 as a result of a short bout with lung cancer at the Virginia Hospital Center, Arlington, VA.

Born in Utica, NY, April 12, 1933, of parents who emigrated from Missenello, Italy, he attended Proctor High School and Manlius Military Academy. He received his commission as an ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate at Syracuse University entering the Regular Army as an Infantry officer in June 1955.

His military awards included the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Expert Infantryman Badge and Senior Parachutist Badge.

COL. Priore completed 28 years service. State side he served with the 74th Regimental Combat Team, Ft Devens, MA; The 3rd Infantry Regiment (Old Guard) Fort Myer, VA; 7th Special Forces, The 82nd Airborne Division (as the Adjutant General) and the 18th Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, NC; HQ U.S. First Army then at Governors Island, New York; HQ Fifth Recruiting District, Chicago, IL; and the Pentagon serving on both the Army Staff and Department of Defense Joint Staff. His final assignment was Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, HQ U.S Sixth Army, the Presidio, San Francisco. While posted in San Francisco he became an active member of the Bohemian Club. His overseas assignments took him to Korea, Germany and Vietnam. His military schooling included the Command and General Staff School, Fort Leavenworth, KN, and the Army War College, at Carlisle, PA. While attending the War College he completed a Masters degree in Counseling from Shippensburg State University of Pennsylvania. He retired to Alexandria, Virginia in 1983 and established a general contracting business specializing in painting and carpentry.

His survivors include his wife of 42 years LTC (RET) Renee L. Priore, three sisters, Rose Marsh of Richmond, VA, Angela Thurlow of Courtland, New York, Felicia Augustine of Seminole Florida, many nieces and nephews and two cousins, Maria Pandolfo of Gallicchio, Italy and Margarita Rocco of Salerno Italy along with a host of many friends and extended family.

Funeral Services will be held at the Post Chapel, Ft Myer, Virginia on February 10, 2005 at 10:45 am, followed by inurnment in the Columbarium in the Arlington National Cemetery and a reception at the Officers Club, Ft Myer. Demaine Funeral Home, Alexandria is handling the arrangements.

Memorial donations may be made to Syracuse University, Note on check: Fortunato Priore Endowed Fund, Syracuse University Development Office, 820 Comstock Avenue,Syracuse, NY 13244, or the American Cancer Society. endcol